EP2170662A1

EP2170662A1 - Windscreen wiper blade holder whose blade comprises a log that can move in the structural element

Info

Publication number: EP2170662A1
Application number: EP08774144A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jérôme CERDAN
Original assignee: Valeo Systemes dEssuyage SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Systemes dEssuyage SAS
Priority date: 2007-06-28
Filing date: 2008-06-19
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Also published as: WO2009000738A1; FR2918025A1; CN101795905A; FR2918025B1

Abstract

The invention proposes a windscreen wiper blade holder (10) which comprises a supporting mount (12) of mainly longitudinal orientation and a wiper blade (16) that is supported by the mount (12), in which the mount (12) comprises an upper tubular body (18) and longitudinal hooks (18) which extend vertically downward from a bottom horizontal face of the body (18), and which delimit a downward-opening bottom housing (30) which receives a portion of the blade (16) and in which the blade (16) comprises a top mounting log (32) which is received in the bottom housing (30) of the mount (12) and a bottom wiper lip (34) that is capable of coming into contact with a glazed panel (36) to be wiped, characterized in that the top log (32) is capable of moving vertically in the bottom housing (30), and is capable of deforming vertically, at the same time as the vertical deformation of the lip (34), according to the curvature of the glazed panel (36). Figure 1.

Description

Windscreen wiper blade having a moving bead in the structural member

The invention relates to a wiper of the flat blade type designed to adapt the shape of the entire blade to the shape of the glass panel to wipe.

The invention more particularly proposes a wiper blade which comprises a support frame of longitudinal main orientation and a wiper blade which is carried by the frame,

In which the frame comprises an upper tubular body and longitudinal hooks which extend vertically downwards from a horizontal lower face of the body, and which delimit a bottom open housing which receives a portion of the blade, and

Wherein the blade has an upper mounting heel, which is received in the lower housing of the frame and a lower wiping lip which is adapted to come into contact with a glazed panel to be wiped.

According to a design for making wiper blades of low height, the articulated structure of the wiper blade, which carries the squeegee or wiper blade is removed, and it is the association a hollow support mount with a longitudinal stiffening vertebra which constitutes the actual broom structure.

The support frame is in the form of a longitudinal profile section which comprises an upper tubular body within which the vertebra, which is in the form of horizontal longitudinal blade, is received. The mount finally has lower hooks for mounting the wiper blade.

The vertebra is made of an elastic material, to allow to press the wiper blade against the glass panel to wipe.

The shape of the glass panel is generally complex, especially when the glass panel is a front windshield of a motor vehicle. The glazed panel then has curved areas which are curved in different ways.

When the blade is supported on areas of the glazing panel, of different curvatures, the support force of the blade on the glazed panel, which is distributed over the entire length of the blade, is distributed unequally over the length of the blade. As a result, the blade deforms more pronounced in places where the distribution of effort is greater. To allow greater deformation of the wiper blade, it has been proposed to increase the dimension, or length, vertical of the lower lip. However, such a solution causes an increase in the angle of inclination of the lower end of the lip, which has the effect of reducing the effectiveness of wiping. The invention aims to provide a wiper blade for which the wiper blade is adapted to deform to adapt to the curvature variations of the glass panel, without harming the quality of the wiper blade. wiping. For this purpose, the invention provides a wiper blade as defined above, characterized in that the upper bead is able to move vertically in the lower housing, and is able to deform vertically, simultaneously vertical deformation of the lip, depending on the curvature of the glass panel. According to other features of the invention, taken separately or in combination:

- The heel is able to move vertically upwards in the tubular housing, against elastic return means of the heel to a low position.

- The return means comprise at least one elastically deformable tongue, which is made integral with the upper bead.

- Said at least one tab extends upwardly from an upper face of the heel and is supported upwardly against a lower face vis-à-vis the tubular body.

- The heel comprises at least one elastic lower flange which extends transversely outwardly of the brush, and which is supported upwardly against a lower end vis-à-vis a lower hook.

the heel comprises means for limiting the tilting of the heel in the lower housing, about a substantially longitudinal axis.

- The heel has two lower wings which are distributed transversely on either side of the heel, and which bear vertically upward against the lower ends of the hooks, to limit the tilting of the heel in the lower housing, around the said longitudinal axis.

- The mount comprises a longitudinal rib which projects downwardly relative to a lower face of the tubular body and against which the free upper end of said at least one tongue is adapted to abut transversely.

- The heel has two tabs arranged symmetrically with respect to a median vertical longitudinal plane of the blade and the rib is arranged transversely between the free ends vis-à-vis the tabs.

- The blade comprises a longitudinal strip of connection of the lip to the heel, which is elastically deformable to allow an inclination of the lip relative to the glass panel, and the lip has upper side beads which are adapted to abut against the wings side, to limit the inclination of the lip.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures in which:

- Figure 1 is a section along a transverse vertical plane of a brush according to the invention, wherein the lower lip is in contact with the glass panel, and under a moderate support force;

- Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, for which the support force is greater;

- Figure 3 is a section along a transverse vertical plane of a blade according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, wherein the lower lip is in contact with the glass panel.

For the description of the invention, the vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted in a non-limiting manner according to the reference V, T indicated in FIGS. FIGS.

In the following description, identical, similar or similar elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a wiper blade 10 of the type "flat-blade", which comprises a support frame 12 of longitudinal main orientation, which carries the other components of the blade 10, a internal vertebra 14 in the form of longitudinal horizontal blade, and a lower wiper blade 16.

The frame 12 comprises a tubular central body 18 of longitudinal main axis, which is delimited by a horizontal upper wall 20, a horizontal bottom wall 22, and two vertical longitudinal side walls 24.

The frame 12 also comprises lower means for mounting the wiper blade 16, which consist of two longitudinal lower hooks 28 facing each other and delimiting a tubular housing 30 open downwards, in which an upper heel 32 complementary to the blade 16 is mounted.

The vertebra 14 constitutes the structural element of the blade 10, which stiffens the frame 12. The vertebra 14 is made of a relatively rigid material, for example steel, and it consists of a longitudinal horizontal blade which is arranged in the inside the tubular body 18.

The vertebra 14 distributes a pressure force of the blade 10, which is exerted via a drive arm (not shown) over the entire length of the blade 16.

The wiper blade 16 has an upper bead 32 for mounting on the frame 12, which is received in the tubular housing 30, a lower lip 34 which is adapted to come into contact with the glazing panel 36 to be wiped and a vertical strip 38 of connection of the lip 34 with the upper bead 32.

The lower lip 34, commonly called "fir" is V-shaped, its lower end edge 34i, or tip is in contact with the glazed panel 36.

The connecting strip 38 is elastically deformable, to allow a inclination of the lower lip 34 relative to the glazing panel 36, in order to adapt the shape of the lower edge 34i of the lower lip 34, to the shape of the glazed panel 36. During the scanning movement of the blade 10 relative to at the glazing panel, the connecting strip 38 is deformed so that the lower lip 34 is situated behind the median vertical longitudinal plane "P", in the direction of movement of the blade 10. [0028] Thus, as can be seen see it in Figures 1 and 2, when the blade 10 moves transversely from left to right, as represented by the arrow "F", the lip 34 is located to the left of the median plane P. However, the quality of the wiping depends in particular on the inclination of the lip 34 relative to the glazed panel 36, the angle of inclination must not be too important. The shape of the glazed panel 36 is complex and it has areas having different curvatures. However, the frame 12 and the vertebra 14 are made so as to provide the blade 10 a certain rigidity, they can not deform sufficiently to locally adapt their curvature to the curvatures of the glazed panel 36. [0032] To guarantee a good quality wiping, the blade 16 is made to adapt the profile of the lower edge 34i of the lip 34 to the shape of the glazed panel 36, without the lip 34 being inclined relative to the glazing panel 36 of way too important. For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention, the upper bead 32 of the blade is slidably movable vertically in the tubular housing 30 of the frame 12. The heel 32 is more flexible than the mount 12 [0034] and that the vertebra 14. Therefore, since the heel 32 is vertically movable in the tubular housing 30, the curvature of the heel 32 may be different from the curvature of the frame 12, for some longitudinal sections of the heel 32, depending on the curvature of the glazed panel 36. [0035] Thus, the heel 32 accompanies the lip 34 in vertical displacement, to adapt the profile of the lower edge 34i of the lip to the shape of the panel glazed, which prevents the lip 34 is inclined relative to the glass panel 36 too importantly. The quality of the wiping is therefore maintained, despite the complex shape of the glass panel 36. To allow the vertical displacement of the heel 32 in the tubular housing 30, the heel 32 is mounted in the tubular housing 30. with a vertical clearance corresponding to the vertical stroke of the heel 32. [0038] According to a first aspect of the invention, the downward displacement of the heel 32 in the tubular housing 30 is obtained by the inherent elasticity of the heel 32, which tendency to recover from itself. The heel 32 is then free to slide vertically in the housing

30. However, significant vibrations of the heel 32 in the tubular housing 30 can then occur during the use of the blade 10. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the blade 10 comprises resilient return means to the bottom of the heel 32 in the position shown in Figures 1 and 3. According to a first embodiment of the return means, the heel 32 comprises at least one elastically deformable tongue, which is made integrally with the heel 32 Here, the heel 32 has two tabs 40 arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical vertical median plane P of the blade 10. Each tongue extends upwards from a horizontal upper face 32a of the heel 32 and its end. upper free 40a is supported upward against the lower face 22i of the lower wall 22 of the body 18, which defines in part the tubular housing 30. Thus, the tabs 40 are compressed vertically between the lower wall 22 and the heel 32, so that they exert an elastic return force of the heel 32 downwards. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the heel return means 32 downwards also comprise lower wings 42, commonly called "bumpers", which are arranged under the heel 32 and which are supported on the high against the lower ends 28i of the hooks 28. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the lower wings 42 extend transversely outwardly of the brush and vertically upwards, so that the free outer transverse end 42a of each wing 42 is in position. elastic support upwards against the lower end 28i of a hook 28.

The wings 42 and cooperate with the tabs 40 to return the heel 32 downwards.

According to another aspect of the invention, the blade 10 comprises means for limiting the pivoting of the heel 32 in the tubular housing 30 about a longitudinal axis.

Indeed, excessive pivoting of the heel 32 in the housing would have the effect of increasing the angle of inclination of the lip 34 relative to the glass panel 36 too importantly, what the invention has for purpose to prevent.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the limitation of the pivoting of the heel 32 relative to the tubular body 30 is obtained by the lower flanges 42.

Indeed, the support of the free end 42a of a flange 42 against the lower end 28i of a hook 28 is shifted transversely to the median vertical longitudinal plane P of the blade 10. This offset support product a pivoting torque of the heel 32 about a longitudinal axis (not shown).

When the heel 32 has a tendency to pivot about this longitudinal axis, the distribution of the values of the support forces of the wings 42 against the lower ends 28i of the hooks 28 are modified, thereby producing a torque opposing the rotation heel 32.

For example, here, when the heel 32 tends to rotate clockwise, the value of the bearing force of the end 42a of the wing 42 to the left of the heel, against the end lower 28i of the hook 28 of the left increases, while the value of the support force of the end 42a of the wing 42 to the right of the heel against the lower end 28i of the hook 28 on the right.

These variations of support forces produce a couple on the heel 32 oriented in the opposite clockwise direction, which therefore opposes the rotation of the heel 32 in the clockwise direction. The wings 42 also provide an abutment of the lower lip 34, to limit the flexion of the connecting strip 38 and therefore to limit the inclination of the lip 34 relative to the glazing panel 36. [0056] lip 34 comprises for this purpose beads 44 which are adapted to abut against the side wings 42, as can be seen in the figures. A wiper blade 10 according to the invention as described above, maintains a wiper quality of the glass panel 36, despite a complex shape of the glass panel. In addition, according to this embodiment of the invention, only the wiper blade 16 is different from a broom according to the state of the art. Thus, a blade 10 according to this embodiment of the invention allows to use a mount 12 and vertebra 14 already existing, which are simple. This limits the production costs of a broom 10 according to the invention. There is shown in Figures 3 and 4 an alternative embodiment of the invention according to which the lower wings 42 mainly perform the abutment function of the lower lip 34 described above, as can be seen in Figure 4. [ 0061] According to the invention, the heel is vertically movable in the tubular housing 30, and it comprises upper tabs 40 which perform the downward return of the heel 32 relative to the tubular housing 30. For this purpose, and as described above, the tabs 40 extend upwards and are compressed between the lower face 22i of the bottom wall 22 of the body 12 and the heel 32. According to this embodiment of the invention, the tabs 40 also limit the pivoting of the heel 32 about a longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the tabs 40 extend upwards from the upper face 32a of the heel 32, and they are folded transversely inwards, so that their upper free ends 40a are located opposite each other and at a distance from each other.

According to the invention, the bottom wall 22 of the body 12 comprises a longitudinal rib 46 which projects downwards with respect to the lower face 22i of the bottom wall 22 and which is arranged transversely between the free ends 40a in the form of a screw. with respect to the tabs 40.

The free end 40a of each tab 40 is adapted to abut against the rib 46 during the pivoting of the heel 32 in the tubular housing 30, as can be seen in Figure 4, to prevent tilting of the heel 32 beyond this stop position.

Whatever the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the tabs 40 are compressed vertically between the bottom wall 22 and the heel 32. In addition, the tabs 40 are made of plastic material such as rubber, which has damping properties.

Thus, although the heel 32 is able to move vertically in the tubular housing 30, the tabs 40 can prevent the vibration of the heel 32 in the tubular housing 30.

Claims

claims

A wiper blade (10) having a longitudinally oriented main support mount (12) and a wiper blade (16) which is carried by the mount (12), wherein the wiper blade (12) ) comprises an upper tubular body (18) and longitudinal hooks (28) which extend vertically downwardly from a horizontal lower face of the body (18), and which define a lower downwardly receiving housing (30) which receives a portion of the blade (16), and wherein the blade (16) has an upper mounting lug (32), which is received in the lower housing (30) of the mount (12) and a lower lip (34). wiper which is adapted to come into contact with a glazed panel (36) to be wiped, characterized in that the upper bead (32) is able to move vertically in the lower housing (30) and is adapted to deform vertically, simultaneously with the vertical deformation of the lip (34), depending on the curvature of the pan glazed water (36).

2. Broom (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the heel (32) is adapted to move vertically upwards in the housing (30) tubular, against elastic return means of the heel (32) to a low position.

3. Broom (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the return means comprise at least one tongue (40) elastically deformable, which is made integral with the heel (32) upper.

4. Broom (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one tongue (40) extends upwardly from an upper face (32a) of the heel (32) and is supported upwardly against a lower face (22i) vis-à-vis the body (18) tubular.

5. Broom (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel (32) comprises at least one elastic lower flange (42) which extends transversely outwardly of the blade (10), and which is supported upward against a lower end (28i) vis-à-vis a hook (28) below.

6. Broom (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel (32) comprises means (42, 46) for limiting the tilting of the heel (32) in the housing (30) below, about a substantially longitudinal axis.

7. Broom (10) according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 5, characterized in that the heel (32) comprises two lower wings (42) which are distributed transversely on either side of the heel (32), and which bear vertically upward against the lower ends (28i) of the hooks (28), to limit the tilting of the heel (32) in the housing (30) below, about said longitudinal axis.

8. Broom (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the frame (12) comprises a longitudinal rib (46) which projects downwardly with respect to a lower face (22i) of the tubular body (18) and against which the free upper end (40a) of said at least one tongue (40) is adapted to abut transversely.

9. Broom (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the heel (32) comprises two tabs (40) arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane (P) longitudinal vertical median of the blade (16) and that the rib (46) is arranged transversely between the free ends vis-à-vis the tabs (40).

10. Broom (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with claim 7, characterized in that the blade (16) comprises a strip (38) longitudinal connection of the lip (34) to the heel (32). ), which is elastically deformable to allow inclination of the lip (34) relative to the glazing panel (36), and in that the lip (34) has upper lateral beads (44) which are adapted to abut against the wings (42) laterally, to limit the inclination of the lip (34).